Operating method for a computer

ABSTRACT

A user predefines for a computer a retrieval instruction for primary data of a patient or of several patients. The computer accesses the primary data of this patient and outputs them to the user via a visual display device. The primary data comprise the primary image data recorded by way of a primary imaging modality and/or primary information derived from said primary image data. The computer automatically checks whether it is possible to access secondary data of this patient, which comprise the secondary image data recorded via a secondary imaging modality and/or secondary information derived from said secondary image data. In the affirmative case, the computer outputs a corresponding message to the user via the visual display device and/or by accessing at least a portion of the secondary data of this patient and outputting said data to the user via the visual display device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating method for acomputer in which: 1) primary data of patients are accessible from thecomputer, 2) the primary data comprise primary image data recorded byway of a primary imaging modality and/or primary information derivedfrom the primary image data, 3) the computer receives a retrievalinstruction from a user for primary data of one of the patients, 4)secondary data of patients are also accessible from the computer, 5) thesecondary data comprise the secondary image data recorded by way of asecondary imaging modality and/or secondary information derived from thesecondary image data, and 5) the computer accesses the primary data ofthis patient and outputs this data to the user via a visual displaydevice.

[0002] Such operating methods are known; they are used, among otherthings, in the evaluation of magnetic resonance or angiographyphotographs. German patent document DE 198 02 572 A1 discloses anexemplary system.

[0003] For example, a physician evaluates angiographic photographs ofcoronary arteries in order to be able to make inferences about possiblestenoses. Physicians also evaluate magnetic resonance images of theheart in order to be able to detect a potential heart attack, itslocation, and its strength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides an operating method for a computerby way of which it is possible to get a correlated display playback ofthe primary and secondary data in simple fashion.

[0005] The task is solved by a method that has a computer automaticallycheck upon the retrieval of the primary data as to whether it can accessthe secondary data of this patient, and, in the affirmative case, hasthe computer output a corresponding message to the user via the visualdisplay device and/or by accessing at least a portion of the secondarydata of this patient and outputting this data to the user via the visualdisplay device.

[0006] Thus with the retrieval of the primary data of a patient, theuser automatically also receives the secondary data of this patient orat least a message as to the availability of said secondary data.

[0007] Various embodiments of the invention are discussed below. If theprimary and secondary data are categorized, it is even possible to havethe computer use the category of the primary data of this patient todetermine the correlated secondary data of the patient and have thecomputer output to the user the message and/or the part of the secondarydata of the patient only in the case of a determination of correlatedsecondary data of the patient via the visual display device.

[0008] If only a message occurs, this message preferably comprises alisting of the existing or correlated secondary data of this patient. Inthis case it is possible that the user will predefine for the computer aselection instruction for a part of the existing or correlated secondarydata of this patient and that the computer then accesses the secondarydata of this patient specified by way of the selection instruction andoutputs the secondary data to the user via the visual display device

[0009] If the computer automatically evaluates the primary and/orsecondary data of this patient and outputs to the user a proposal fortherapy or diagnosis via the visual display device, the flow of theoperating method for the user turns out to be particularly comfortable.However, the acceptance of the proposal for therapy or diagnosis by thecomputer preferably does not take place until after the input of aconfirmation instruction. Preferably the computer thus prompts the userfor a confirmation instruction and if necessary saves the proposal fortherapy or diagnosis allocating it to the primary and/or secondary dataof this patient.

[0010] If the computer assigns supplementary information to the primaryand/or secondary data of this patient, which with regard to this patientis accessible to secondary or primary data, this information will beimmediately available in the case of a subsequent, renewed access to theprimary and/or secondary data. The supplementary information can in theprocess comprise in particular contextual information about thesecondary or primary data of this patient and about options foraccessing this data.

[0011] If the computer checks the primary and/or secondary data of thispatient for plausibility and outputs the results of its check to theuser via the visual display device, dangerous misdiagnoses can beprevented. In particular, via such plausibility checks, it is possible,for example, to determine that the secondary data are contradictory tothe primary data.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Further advantages and details result from the followingdescription of an embodiment in connection with the drawings.

[0013]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of medicaldevices;

[0014]FIG. 2 is an exemplary data record diagram;

[0015]FIG. 3 is an exemplary record diagram showing patient data;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the inventivemethod;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a monitor display; and

[0018]FIG. 6-8 are flow charts illustrating various aspects according tothe method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019]FIG. 1 displays a system used to illustrate an embodiment of theinvention having an arrangement of medical devices that exhibits aprimary imaging modality 1, a secondary imaging modality 2 and acomputer 3. The primary imaging modality 1 can, for example, be designedas a magnetic resonance system or as a computer tomograph. The secondaryimaging modality 2 can, for example, be designed as an angiography-x-rayunit or as an ultrasonograph.

[0020] The primary imaging modality 1 is operated by a primary modalityoperator 4. In the operation of the first imaging modality 1,photographs (images), among other things, of patients P1, P2 arecreated. The first imaging modality 1 automatically also feedsphotographs, a photograph time, a photograph category as well as apatient identification to the computer 3. The photograph categoryspecifies, e.g., which body part of patient P1, has been photographedand/or the purpose for which the photographs were created. Thephotograph category could, for example, specify “Heart” and “Checkingfor heart attack”.

[0021] The computer 3 processes the photographs. In particular, thecomputer 3 can, for example, use the supplied photographs to determine avolume data record which supplies comprehensive information about theaffected patient P1, and which therefore can be better evaluated by auser 5 of the computer 3. If necessary, the computer 3 can also performan automatic evaluation (diagnosis) of the transmitted data. As analternative, the user 5 can predefine the evaluation for the computer 3.

[0022]FIG. 2 shows an exemplary data record 6 created or supplemented bythe computer 3. First of all, the data record 6 contains a status, i.e.,the photograph time, as well as the category of the data record 6. Itfurther contains the photographs (images) as such and/or any determinedvolume data record. Finally, the data record 6 contains the evaluationresults. Both the volume date record and the evaluation results are madeup of information that has been derived from the image data.

[0023] The computer 3 places the thus determined data record 6 in aprimary modality data memory. This placement takes place as per FIG. 3under allocation to the relevant patient P1-Pn.

[0024] Not only is it possible to access the primary modality datamemory 7 from the computer 3, but rather it is also possible to access asecondary modality data memory 8. The secondary modality data memory 8contains those patient data that are fed to the computer 3 on the basisof corresponding defaults by a second modality operator 9 of thesecondary imaging modality 2. The collaboration of the secondary imagingmodality 2 with the computer 3 takes place in the same manner as thecollaboration of the primary imaging modality 1 with the computer 3.However, the categories of the photographs can deviate from those of theprimary imaging modality 1. For example, in the case of angiographicphotographs, the term “coronary arteries” can be specified as aphotographed body region and as purpose of the photograph “Checking forstenoses” can be specified.

[0025] The computer 3 is programmed with a computer program 10, which isfed to the computer 3 using a data storage medium 11, for example aCD-ROM 11. The computer program 10 is stored on the data storage medium11 in (exclusively) machine-readable format. On the basis of theprogramming with the computer program 10, the computer 3 executes anoperating method described in greater detail below in connection withFIG. 4.

[0026]FIG. 4 illustrates the computer 3 receiving patient data in onestep S1 and saving the data in one of the modality data memories 7, 8.This receipt of data has been discussed above in connection with FIG. 2and FIG. 3. Then, in a step S2, the computer 3 receives a data requestfor a patient's data, e.g., patient P2, via a dialog box 12 of a visualdisplay device 13 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 5). The data request correspondsto a retrieval instruction for the data of this patient P2 from thefirst modality data memory 7. The computer 3 then accesses the firstmodality data memory 7. It determines data or data of the requestedcategory of the relevant patient P2.

[0027] In a step S4, the computer 3 then checks whether it has foundsuch data of patient P2. Depending on the outcome of its check, itperforms either a step S5 or a step S6.

[0028] If the computer 3 was not able to verify any data, then in a stepS5, it outputs a corresponding message to this effect to the user 5 viaan information window 14 (see FIG. 5). If on the other hand the computer3 was able to locate corresponding data, the computer 3 accesses thedata of this patient P2 and outputs the data to the user 5 via a firstdata window 15 of the visual display device 13.

[0029] After step S6, the computer 3 executes a step S7. In step S7, thecomputer 3 accesses the second modality data memory 8. It checks whetherthere are any data there for the same patient P2, or, in the case ofcategorization, whether there are any data of the corresponding categorythere. For example, if the category of the data of the first imagingmodality 1 is “Heart and Checking for heart attack”, with regard to thedata of the second imaging modality 2, the computer 3 could check fordata from the category “Coronary arteries and Checking for stenoses”.

[0030] In step S8, the computer 3 checks whether it found the data itwas searching for. If it did not find any such data, it executes stepsS9 and S10. If it did find such data, it executes steps S11 and S12.

[0031] In step S9, the computer 3 outputs a message to the user statingthat there are no corresponding data available for this patient P2 fromthe second imaging modality 2. In step S10 the computer 3 thencollaborates with the user 5 with regard to the data of the firstimaging modality 1 in known fashion.

[0032] If the computer 3, on the other hand, found corresponding data ofthe second imaging modality 2, in step S11 it displays the data or partof the data in a second data window 16 and in this way outputs the datato the user 5. In step S12 it is then possible to work with data of bothimaging modalities 1, 2 via dialog box 12 and data windows 15, 16.

[0033] The above described embodiment of a basic operating method can bedesigned in various ways according to various embodiments of theinvention. FIG. 6 shows two such designs.

[0034] The first design relates to steps S7, S8 and S9. As per FIG. 6,these steps S7, S8 and S9 are each split up into two partial steps, S13and S16, S14 and S17, as well as S15 and S18.

[0035] As per FIG. 6 in step S13, it is first determined whether thesecond modality data memory 8 contains any data for this patient P2. Instep S14, the corresponding check takes place, in step S15, ifnecessary, the computer 3 outputs a message to the effect that thesecond modality data memory 8 does not contain any data for this patientP2.

[0036] In step S16, the computer 3 determines the category of the dataretrieved from the first modality data memory 7 for the specifiedpatient P2 as well as the category of the data available in the secondmodality data memory 8. In step S17, the computer 3 determines whetherthe categories correspond to each other. If the categories do notcorrespond to one another, in step S18, a message is output to the user5, stating that there are no corresponding data. In particular in thiscase, steps S11 and S12 are only executed when correlated data of thesecond imaging modality 2 for this patient P2 are available.

[0037] The second design relates to step S11. As per FIG. 6 this stepS11 is split up into three partial steps, S19 through S21. In step S19,a message is output, e.g., via information window 14, to the user 5which comprises a listing of the available data or of the availablecorrelated data of the second imaging modality 2 for this patient P2. Instep S20, the computer 3 receives the data of the second imagingmodality 2 specified for this patient P2 by way of the selectioninstruction and outputs them to the user 5 via the second data window 16of the visual display device 13.

[0038] The two designs can be implemented independently from each other.In particular, e.g. the second design of step S11 can be replaced by thedesign shown in FIG. 7.

[0039] As per FIG. 7, no list is output to the user 5 from which he canthen make a selection. Instead, in a step S22 the computer 3automatically makes its own selection from the available data records 6and displays the selected data record 6 in the second data window 16.For example, the computer 3 can select and display the data record 6with the closest categorization, in the case of several data records 6with the applicable categorization, it can select and display the mostrecent of these data records 6.

[0040] In a simple version of the operating method according to anembodiment of the invention, a pure dialog operation between thecomputer 3 and the user 5 takes place in step S12. In particular, allchanges of existing data take place only on the basis of a direct inputof the user 5. In another version, which will be described below incombination with FIG. 8, it is however also possible to have thecomputer 3 make evaluations and changes in the data.

[0041] Thus, as per FIG. 8, it is, for example, possible in a step S23to have the computer 3 automatically evaluate the data of the patient P2with regard to the first imaging modality 1 and in a step S24 check forplausibility. If the data are not plausible, in a step S25, the computer3 outputs an error message to the user 5 and performs error handling.

[0042] In similar fashion, in a step S26, for example, the computer 3evaluates data of the patient P2 that were generated by way of thesecond imaging modality 2. In a step S27 the computer 3 also checksthese data for plausibility. If necessary, in a step S28, the computer 3outputs an error message to the user 5 and performs error handling.

[0043] Above all, however, in a step S29, it is possible to have thecomputer 3 compare the evaluations performed in S23 and S26 with eachother. For example, if infarcted tissue is detected in a specifiedregion of the heart, a corresponding coronary artery should exhibit astenosis. Thus, in a step S30, the data can be checked for plausibilityin both modalities.

[0044] If necessary, in a step S31, an error message can again be outputto the user 5 and a corresponding error handling can be performed. Inthis way, for example, it is possible to check whether the data actuallycome from the same patient P2 and the receipt times are not too farapart from each other.

[0045] The automatic evaluation of the data of patient P2 by the twomodalities 1, 2 can even go so far that the computer 3 in a step S32determines a proposal for therapy and/or diagnosis. However, theproposal is not yet assigned to the data. Instead, the computer 3 firstoutputs the proposal to the user 5 in a step S33. Only after the user 5in a step S34 inputs a confirmation instruction does the computer 3assign the proposal for therapy and diagnosis to the data of bothimaging modalities 1, 2 in a step S35 and save it in the data record 6as a supplement to the specific evaluation.

[0046] Finally, it is also possible to have the computer, in a stepS36,—compare FIG. 2—assign supplementary information to the data of thispatient P2, stating that data of the other imaging modality 2, 1 forthis patient P2 and stating that it is possible to access said data. Thedata can, for example, comprise a memory location or a memory address,an update status, brief information about what kind of data these are,as well as a brief finding of these data.

[0047] The aforementioned added-feature functions described inconnection with FIG. 8, that is, 1) the plausibility checks, 2) thedetermination of the proposal for therapy and/or diagnosis, and 3) theassignment of supplementary information, can of course be implementedindependently of one another. These functions are additionallyindependent from the concrete design of steps S7, S8, S9 and S11.

[0048] Hence, by way of the operating method of these embodiments of theinvention, a simple, cross-modality finding is possible through the user5 (as a rule, a physician).

[0049] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principlesof the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used todescribe these embodiments. However, no limitation of the scope of theinvention is intended by this specific language, and the inventionshould be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normallyoccur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0050] The present invention may be described in terms of functionalblock components and various processing steps. Such functional blocksmay be realized by any number of hardware and/or software componentsconfigured to perform the specified functions. For example, the presentinvention may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memoryelements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and thelike, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control ofone or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, wherethe elements of the present invention are implemented using softwareprogramming or software elements the invention may be implemented withany programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, assembler,or the like, with the various algorithms being implemented with anycombination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or otherprogramming elements. Furthermore, the present invention could employany number of conventional techniques for electronics configuration,signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like.

[0051] The particular implementations shown and described herein areillustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwiselimit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity,conventional electronics, control systems, software development andother functional aspects of the systems (and components of theindividual operating components of the systems) may not be described indetail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in thevarious figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functionalrelationships and/or phisical or logical couplings between the variouselements. It should be noted that many alternative or additionalfunctional relationships, physical connections or logical connectionsmay be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component isessential to the practice of the invention unless the element isspecifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerousmodifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilledin this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An operating method for a computer, comprising:accessing primary data of patients with the computer, the primary datacomprising at least one of primary image data recorded via a primaryimaging modality, and primary information derived from the primary imagedata; accessing secondary data of patients with the computer, thesecondary data comprising at least one of secondary image data recordedvia a secondary imaging modality, and secondary information derived fromthe secondary image data; receiving, by the computer, a retrievalinstruction from a user for primary data of one of the patients;accessing, by the computer the primary data of this patient andoutputting the primary data to the user via a visual display device;automatically checking, by the computer upon the retrieval of theprimary data as to whether it can access the secondary data of thispatient; and if the computer can access the secondary data of thispatient, the computer performs at least one of: a) outputting acorresponding message to the user via the visual display device, and b)accessing at least a portion of the secondary data of this patient andoutputting this data to the user via the visual display device.
 2. Theoperating method according to claim 1, further comprising: categorizingthe primary and secondary data; utilizing, by the computer, the categoryof the primary data of this patient to determine the correlatedsecondary data of this patient; and outputting, by the computer, to theuser, at least one of: a) a message, and b) the portion of the secondarydata of said patient only in the case of a determination of correlatedsecondary data of this patient via the visual display device.
 3. Theoperating method according to claim 1, wherein the message comprises alisting of existing or correlated secondary data of this patient, themethod further comprising: predefining, by the user, for the computer, aselection instruction for a part of the existing or the correlatedsecondary data of this patient; accessing, by the computer the secondarydata of this patient specified via the selection instruction; andoutputting the secondary data to the user via the visual display device.4. The operating method according to claim 1, further comprising:automatically evaluating, by the computer, at least one of the primaryand the secondary data of this patient; and outputting, to the user, aproposal for therapy or diagnosis via the visual display device.
 5. Theoperating method according to claim 4, further comprising: prompting, bythe computer, the user for a confirmation instruction.
 6. The operatingmethod according to claim 5, further comprising: saving the proposal fortherapy or diagnosis; and allocating the proposal to at least one of theprimary and the secondary data of this patient.
 7. The operating methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: assigning, by the computer,supplementary information to at least one of the primary and thesecondary data of this patient, which, with regard to this patient, isaccessible to, respectively, the secondary or the primary data.
 8. Theoperating method according to claim 7, wherein the supplementaryinformation comprises contextual information about the secondary orprimary data of this patient and about options for accessing this data.9. The operating method according to claim 1, further comprising:checking, by the computer, at least one of the primary and the secondarydata of this patient for plausibility; and outputting results of thecheck to the user via the visual display device.
 10. A data storagemedium comprising a computer program stored on the medium for performingan operating method in accordance with claim
 1. 11. A computer,programmed with a computer program in such a way that an operatingmethod in accordance claim 1 can be performed with it.